1. Some Insects Injurious to Squash, Melon 
and Cucumber Vines. 
THE SQUASH-BUG. 
(Anasa tristis, De Geer.) 
The squash-bug is probably very well known to most Long 
Island farmers, as it has been unusually abundant on all parts of 
the island for several years past, and especially during the past 
season. Indeed, it is safe to say that this insect is known to 
almost every one, for it may be found at any time of the year, 
either sucking the sap from the vines in the garden or hidden 
away during the winter months under some board or in the wood 
pile or beneath almost any rubbish that will afford protection 
from the cold winter winds. The full grown bug is about five- 
eighths of an inch long, blackish brown in color above and dull 
ochre yellow beneath. When roughly handled or suddenly dis- 
turbed it emits a disgusting odor, which has given it the rather 
undignified name of “stink bug.” 
This insect is an old and well-known pest to growers of squashes 
and other cucurbits. It is found throughout the United States, 
and when occurring in large numbers is to be much dreaded. In 
some localities on Long Island its work is considered at times to 
be almost as serious as that of the squash-vine borer. Its ravages 
on the island this past year, especially in the vicinity of Brooklyn, 
have been unusually severe. In this locality squashes are grown 
in abundance, forming one of the main crops. 
The squash-bug belongs to one of the largest orders of insects, 
which includes more than 10,000 species found in the United 
States. To this group belong many of our most serious insect 
pests, including the plant lice and scale insects. They are 
known as true bugs, and are designated by the term Hemiptera. 
The Hemiptera are partially characterized by the mouth parts being 
modified so as to forma more or less slender beak by means of 
90 
